Page 13 of Cooper’s Promise

“Former.”

“Huh?”

“Former fucking Army Ranger,” Brenna corrected.

“Fine, if you want to get technical, I’m no longer in the Army. But do you really want to know what the hell I’m busy doing now as part of the Omega Team? Because, I can assure you, little girl, that what I was doing in Germany was not drinking beer, eating sauerkraut and spending my time driving on the autobahn.”

Shit, he didn’t like the way she was shrinking back into the cushions of the couch. He stopped pacing and went and sat on the arm of the couch.

“So, what do you do for a living?”

“That’s not what we’re discussing at the moment.”

“Maybe we should be.”

“Brenna, we can talk about this at dinner. Right now I need to pay that asshole a visit. He left that rose for you. You lock up behind me. I will be picking you up later tonight. Are we clear?”

“Fine. I’m clear that you’re not going to do anything stupid and get your ass locked up. Because I’m holding you to that dinner date.”

She was cute when she threw out ultimatums. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Heat blossomed. She was hell on all of his good intentions. He had heads to crack. He pulled back. She gave him a beatific smile.

“Stay safe,” they said in unison.

He put his hand around the back of her head and kissed the crown of her head, then got up and opened the door. She followed.

“I’ll lock up, don’t worry.” He’d picked up the rose on his way to the door.

“I’m throwing this in the dumpster.”

He noted her sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After she shut the door behind him, he waited to hear the deadbolt turn behind him before he left. Then he walked slowly towards his truck. It had been a momentous morning, he decided. He still couldn’t decide if he was happy or scared. The more that he thought he was happy, the more scared he got.